• Latest
  • Trending
Remembering Dr. Paul Shelden, 1941-2020

Remembering Dr. Paul Shelden, 1941-2020

June 15, 2020
Doing Better Next School Year

Doing Better Next School Year

July 10, 2025
Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

July 10, 2025
Composing for Middle and High School Choirs – A conversation with Laura Farnell and Reginald Writer – Part 1

How Choir Practice Builds Confidence in Middle School Students

July 5, 2025
I Love ASTA!

I Love ASTA!

July 3, 2025
Technology: DAW Bundles

Features You Must Have in a Small Portable USB Audio Interface!

June 28, 2025
Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

June 28, 2025
Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

June 30, 2025
The Midwest Clinic Announces 2025 Clinicians and Performers

The Midwest Clinic Announces 2025 Clinicians and Performers

June 28, 2025
Running the Race

Running the Race

June 26, 2025
Sharpening the Tools in Your Toolkit

Sharpening the Tools in Your Toolkit

June 24, 2025
Treat Your Ears to Recordings of Upcoming Jazz Charts

Treat Your Ears to Recordings of Upcoming Jazz Charts

June 24, 2025
Several Shades of Green: One Size Does Not Fit All

Several Shades of Green: One Size Does Not Fit All

June 24, 2025
Friday, July 11, 2025
  • Contact
SBO+
  • Departments
    • Choral
    • Concert Band
    • Editorial
      • Advocacy
      • Commentary
      • Features
      • InService
      • MAC Corner
      • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Perspective
      • Upclose
    • Jazz
    • Marching Band
    • Modern Band
    • New Products
    • Orchestra
    • Performance
      • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
      • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Theater
    • Tone Deaf Comics
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Choral
    • Concert Band
    • Editorial
      • Advocacy
      • Commentary
      • Features
      • InService
      • MAC Corner
      • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Perspective
      • Upclose
    • Jazz
    • Marching Band
    • Modern Band
    • New Products
    • Orchestra
    • Performance
      • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
      • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Theater
    • Tone Deaf Comics
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
SBO+
No Result
View All Result

Remembering Dr. Paul Shelden, 1941-2020

June 15, 2020
in In Memoriam, Perspective
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

SBO has received confirmation that clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist, conductor, arranger, educator, and Diplomatte Music founder Dr. Paul Shelden passed away on April 17, 2020 in his Long Island home. He was 79. The cause of death was complications due to COVID-19.

Born on March 8, 1941 in Brooklyn, Shelden and his brother Aaron started playing music around age 10, when Paul picked up the clarinet and his brother played the accordion. Together, they performed as children on Ted Mack’s “Original Amateur Hour.” He continued to excel at the Stevensville Hotel, where he became the bandleader of the Catskill Mountains resort.

Shelden’s lengthy career spanned over 60 years. Before becoming an educator himself, he received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees at the Juilliard School as a scholarship student of Arthur Christmann and Joseph Allard. There he studied clarinet performance, conducting, composing, and saxophone. Later, he earned a doctor of musical arts degree in clarinet performance, literature, and pedagogy from the University of Maryland in 1978. He earned his D.M.A. from the University of Maryland at College Park.

His talent took him far; Shelden would go on to perform and conduct on many of the most revered stages in the country, including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. His collaborative work with other musical greats is as varied as his own musical expertise. He performed under classical conductors James Levine, Robert Shaw, and Leonard Bernstein, but also worked with more mainstream acts like Bob Hope, Billy Joel, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. There were few forms of performance that Shelden didn’t dabble in at some point in his life, from playing in Broadway musical orchestras, to taking the stage for Guy Lombardo’s televised New Year’s Eve concerts.

He served as an educator for decades, sharing his talent with thousands of students. He worked at Brooklyn College for a remarkable 34 years, where he wore many hats over the years. In addition to teaching there, he worked as director of the department of music in the school of general studies, was assistant director of the conservatory of music, director of graduate studies in music, and assistant dean for research and graduate studies for the college. He also directed the Brooklyn College Wind Ensemble and founded the Conservatory’s Clarinet Quartet.

In 2003, he founded Diplomatte Musical Instruments, a woodwind instrument company.

In recent years, he battled Parkinson’s Disease with a brave face as he took part in Rock Steady Boxing, a therapy program for people affected by Parkinson’s Disease, at the New York Institute of Technology. Not only did his participation help in his struggle with the disease, but it demonstrated a connection to Shelden’s father, who also was a boxer. Before falling ill from COVID-19, he performed often, namely with Long Island’s Northwinds Symphonic Band.

His family held a small graveside service on April 21, with over 200 of Shelden’s friends and loved ones watching via Zoom.

He is survived by wife of 51 years, Dr. Pamela Shelden, his son, Seth Shelden, his daughter, Dr. Loren Napoli, his identical twin brother, Aaron Shelden, 79, and two grandchildren. Seth remains the vice president and general counsel of Diplomatte Music.

Following Shelden’s passing, New York musicians – and players from all parts of the world – have expressed their gratitude for his presence in their lives.

His son Seth shared on Facebook the day of his passing: “No one in my life will ever love me the way he did, inspire me the way he did, admire me the way he did, or do anything in their lives as well as he played the clarinet. His accomplishments were mind-blowing, and he could have given us still more.”

Former professor of Brooklyn College and longtime colleague of Shelden, Bruce MacIntyre, shares: “As a conductor-musicologist, he will be long remembered for his good humor, his caring teaching, and his excellent, cogently designed wind-ensemble programs as well as his inspired, entertaining children’s concerts that allowed students to come up to the podium and ‘out-conduct’ their teachers.”

Donations can be made in his memory to the Brooklyn College

You may also like:

2013 ’50 Directors Who Make a Difference’ Report SBO Presents the 20th Annual 50 Directors Who Make a Difference The 22nd Annual 50 Directors Who Make a Difference SBO Presents The 19th Annual 50 Directors Who Make A Difference Report: 50 Directors
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR STORY

  • 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    1356 shares
    Share 542 Tweet 339
  • When Selecting New Choral Music, Choose Success

    1293 shares
    Share 517 Tweet 323
  • Concert Band Set-up Fundamentals

    1093 shares
    Share 437 Tweet 273
  • The Immediate Threat to School Music Programs

    1008 shares
    Share 403 Tweet 252
  • TI:ME Announces Free PreSonus Revelator USB Microphone at 30th Anniversary Celebration at TMEA

    970 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 243
ADVERTISEMENT

SchoolMusic.Travel

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Mountains, music, and vibrant cities — the Northwest offers unforgettable experiences for student groups. 🎷 1. Seattle, WA – Innovation Meets Inspiration • Why it’s…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

From Broadway to Boston, the Northeast inspires music students with rich culture and iconic venues. From Broadway lights to historic concert halls, the Northeast is…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats in 4/4 time. The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Coastlines, concert halls, and creativity — the West Coast delivers stunning performance opportunities. From iconic performance halls to scenic coastal venues, the West Coast offers…

Next Post

Rehabilitation: Surviving the Heavier Side of the Equation

  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • March 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Choral
    • Concert Band
    • Editorial
      • Advocacy
      • Commentary
      • Features
      • InService
      • MAC Corner
      • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Perspective
      • Upclose
    • Jazz
    • Marching Band
    • Modern Band
    • New Products
    • Orchestra
    • Performance
      • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
      • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Theater
    • Tone Deaf Comics
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!

© 2005 - 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

Wenger EndurAd Promo